Automatic number plate recognition to be installed at Diss train station

Parking payment changes will be in force at Diss train station by the end of the year with the launch of cameras that both recognise number plates and allow for swifter payment.

Greater Anglia is working with NCP, the UK’s largest parking retailer and operator, to roll out Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology across 20 rail station car parks, which they say will give customers greater control over how and when they pay for their parking.

The ticketless ANPR technology increases the variety of payment options available, and helps to improve security.

Customers will be able to pay for their parking online anytime up until midnight the day after their visit on the Great Anglia Parking Portal (gaparking.co.uk).

They can even pre-register their car and payment details online, allowing automatic payment.

Blue badge holders will continue to park for free, provided they register with NCP either online or by phone up within 24 hours of leaving the car park. They can do this online, by phone or by post and register more than one car if required.

The programme will also see all on-site payment kiosks replaced, enabling payment by cash, card, Google wallet and Apple Pay. Alternatively, customers can choose to pay using their mobile phone at the time of parking.

This is part of an on-going programme to simplify parking by removing the need for cash and by offering choice when it comes to electronic payment methods.

Each upgraded car park will also be able to provide customers with real time occupancy data via the Greater Anglia website and Great Anglia Parking Portal.

This will allow all customers to view current availability at the car park ahead of their visit, as well as expected occupancy for any given time or day of the week based on historical trend data.

To date, Broxbourne, Cambridge station and Ipswich station car parks have been upgraded and a further 17 stations will be completed before the end of the year.

NCP’s Contract Manager, Mark Kraft, said: “NCP has enjoyed a successful partnership with Greater Anglia for 12 years now as we collectively strive to deliver a leading product and service within the industry.

“In total Greater Anglia provides 13,500 spaces across 55 station car parks, meaning the use of ANPR will positively impact thousands of customers on a daily basis.

“We understand that for the majority of customers using these sites, parking is just a small part of their journey and we want to make this a seamless an experience as possible.

“This is why we are significantly expanding the methods of payments, giving customers the ability to pay for their parking in a way and at a time that is most convenient for them.”

Car park users can still also pay online, using Dash or text, by phone, or at the pay machines.

The upgrade is part of Greater Anglia’s wider plans to improve car parking at its stations, investing £20 million in creating over 1,700 extra car parking spaces across the network over the next seven years.